RESUSCITATING A CHALLENGED PROGRAM: ONE GEOLOGIST′S APPROACH

California University of Pennsylvania (CalU) is a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) located south of Pittsburgh, PA in the Borough of California. A primarily undergraduate, public university, it is one of the 14 PASSHE schools. CalU has competed successfully with its sister schools for state funding which has continuously declined over the past twenty-five years. However, the price of success has sometimes led to competing priorities between fiscal and academic interests. Under the current performance criteria, compromises are often made which threaten student and faculty expectations for academic quality. Departments and programs are under continuous pressure to “produce,” measured in many cases by student-faculty ratios. Consequently, declining numbers (majors) may lead to program removal.

In 2007, the Geology program at CalU underwent dramatic changes. For a brief period of time, no tenured or tenure-track faculty led the program. This hiatus led to a drop in the number of majors as well as a drop in the morale of the remaining students. After dramatic changes during the years leading up to Fall 2007, a single, new faculty member began the process of rebuilding the program. A “four-pronged” approach was undertaken to redevelop the curriculum, re-energize the students, and grow the program. The approach included an eye toward retention, but more importantly recruitment through (1) an active and visible Geology Club, (2) Field Experiences focused on “high-impact” destinations, (3) curricular changes increasing academic rigor, and (4) collaborative Industry connections. As the new direction of CalU Geology takes shape, the number of majors has increased, and student enthusiasm and satisfaction is improved. These improvements have not gone unnoticed by University administrators, with a full-time temporary faculty line granted for Academic Year 2009-10. At this time, a request is pending for an additional tenure-track position in the program.